Umbrella-frame.



F. J. MONAHAN.

UMBRELLA FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED MAY I. 1916.

' 1,266,515. Patented May14,1918.

Sumntoa UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J. MONAHAN, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

UMBRELLA-FRAME.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that, I, F RANK J. MONAI-IAN, a citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Umbrella-Frames, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the construction of umbrella frames and has for its object the provision of an umbrella frame whose ribs are adapted to be readily removed and replaced by fresh ones when injured.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a view showing a portion of the umbrella frame in elevation.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the thimble showing two ribs jointed therein and each set in a different position.

Fig. 3-- is an inner face view of one of the halves of the thimble member.

Fig. 4- is a perspective view showing the end of a rib which is provided with a round head flattened on two opposite sides.

Fig. 5- i s a sectional view of the runner member.

Fig. 6 is an end view showing the under face of the runner with its locking member removed.

Fig. 7 is a view showing the ball end 0 the stretcher member which forms the joint in the runner.

Referring to the drawings the numeral 10 designates the staff of my improved umbrella, which may be made of any suitable material and 11 designates the thimble member which is preferably formed in halves 12 and 13 adapted to be connected on the center line 14. An opening 15 is formed through the center of the thimble for the reception of the staff 10 and a plurality of spherical shaped recesses 16 are located around this opening, each having a. narrow slot 17 communicating with the exterior of the thimble. The slots in the lower half extend downwardly so as to permit the ribs to swing inward to the staff when the umbrella is closed. The runner member which is mounted to slide on this staff comprises a head portion and a sleeve portion 24 hav- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14, 1918.

ing an opening 26 through which the stafi 10 passes. This head portion is provided with a plurality of spherical recesses 25 located about the central opening, each having a slot 27 coimnunicating therewith. These openings 25 are arranged to be closed on their under side by a nut 28, which member is provided with a bayonet lock joint which comprises an angular slot 29 on opposite sides thereof for the receptionof corresponding pins 30 whereby the rotating of this nut in one direction withdraws its face 31 from the under face of the runner head thereby opening the recess and permitting the stretcher members (presently described)- to be readily inserted or removed therefrom. A slot 32 is formed in the sleeve portion of this runner through which the spring latch 33 passes for retaining the runner when the umbrella is in open position.

It is obvious that a similar latch may be employed to engage the runner when the umbrella is closed.

Each of the ribs 21 is formed with a round head 22 at one end, said head being flattened on two opposite sides whereby it is adapted to be passed through its slot 17 and be rotated one quarter turn in the spherical recess 16 whereby it is securely locked therein.

In order to retain this rib in its locked position, I have pivoted a stretcher member 34: at the point 35, to each rib, the inner end of this stretcher member being provided with a ball shaped or spherical end 36 adapted to enter the recess 25 and be locked therein by the nut member 28.

In assembling my improved umbrella frame it is only necessary to form the thimble member in halves and connect these halves to the stafi and flattened heads of the ribs are passed into their respective recesses 16 through the slots 17, and are then rotated one quarter turn which brings the ball end of the stretcher member into position to engage its socket After all of the ribs have been thus set it is only necessary to lock the whole in position by turning the nut 28 upward on its pins 30, which action forces the nut up against the lower face of the head of the runner securely retaining all of the stretchers in position. The covering may now be applied to the ribs and the whole is completed. V

When any of the ribs are bent or become injured as is often the case with umbrellas,

the injured member may be readily removed by simply turning back the nut 28 and Withdrawing the ball end of the stretcher therefrom, then by swinging the same upward and rotating the rib one quarter turn this unit may be removed and a fresh one readily positioned thereby quickly repairing the umbrella making the same as good as new.

I have described my invention by specific terms but it is not intended that the same shall be limited in scope except as defined by the appended claim.

I claim An umbrella frame comprising a stafi, a

thimble fixed to the staff and provided With a plurality of internal spherical recesses and narrow slots leading from said recesses t0 the periphery of the thimble, a set of ribs each having an enlarged head formed of the middle zone of a sphere of substantially the diameter of the recesses, so as to rotatably engage said recesses, each head being fiattened on tWo opposite sides whereby itmay pass through its slot into its recess to swing therein, a runner, and stretcher members connecting said runner with said ribs.

In testimony whereof I aflix my si nature.

FRANK J. MONAf-lAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

